Here is a trustworthy saying, deserving of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the foremost. [1 Timothy 1]

How often we see the speck in another person’s eye and miss the log in our own (Matthew 7). And we are quite content bringing judgment upon others, while failing to come to grips with what we deserve. We have committed every kind of sin for which we could judge another person. And we will be judged by the measure with which we judge. A little scary, right?

The scary thing is that we fail to come to grips with what we proclaim every week: Jesus died to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. Jesus came for broken, desperate, despondent people. That’s the first part. But the second is just as important. I am the worst of them. My need is greater than anyone else’s. And how can that be true for all us at the same time?? Because each of us is only responsible for our own decisions, and we know how poor our decisions have been. Let’s sit with that today, that we are the worst of the worst- and Jesus came to rescue us anyway.

Challenge: Repent. Take some time to reflect on where you’ve been and what you’ve done and all the things you don’t want to be part of your story or life anymore. Hand it over to Jesus. He took it up in his hands and nailed it to the cross. They pulled Jesus off the cross and buried him in a tomb. All your baggage was left there in the tomb. Repent today, and turn, knowing that Jesus has forgiven you!

Jesus, I have messed up more times than I can count. I have been a terrible person to others and mean and neglectful toward you. Forgive me. Help me to trust in Your words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel!” I am trusting in You to rescue me, and I am turning from my self-reliance and trust in anything other than You. Allow me to experience the freedom that comes through Your forgiveness. Amen.